Models, Ask an Owner

[JABCAT]

One thing not mentioned yet is that depending on what options you select on either, there are a variety of spring combinations that Jeep puts on these things. For example, hard tops get stiffer stiffer springs than soft tops. If you add the tow pkg, you may get different springs as well. Different engines get different springs due to the weight difference in the engines, etc. If you live where it rains often, the MTs on the Willys handle horribly in wet vs the stock Sahara tires. All of those affect ride feel & characteristics.

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[SilverT]

Sorry, I’m not much help here as I didn’t even test drive a Wrangler before purchasing mine last year. Last time I drove a Wrangler was back in 2012 and I knew I wanted another without care about fit and finish, comfort, etc. ?

Being it my next new purchase, I want to make sure that it is a right fit. I understand one can only do this by test driving. The vehicles are limited in this area.

 

[SilverT]

One thing not mentioned yet is that depending on what options you select on either, there are a variety of spring combinations that Jeep puts on these things. For example, hard tops get stiffer stiffer springs than soft tops. If you add the tow pkg, you may get different springs as well. Different engines get different springs due to the weight difference in the engines, etc. If you live where it rains often, the MTs on the Willys handle horribly in wet vs the stock Sahara tires. All of those affect ride feel & characteristics.

Thanks for your response. My is on the six cylinder. I have a four cylinder currently and its peppy and gas mileage is great, but that is not the reason for choosing a Jeep (definitely not for gas mileage). Hard top is my preference for road noise purposes. Tow package is optional, I am not sure I tow enough to warrant one, but it comes in handy when you have one. Living in the Midwest, it snows many of the months vs. rain. In other words, would you say that a set of springs would smooth out the ride in either vehicle?

 

[Mccorm67]

PS: IMO, it’s much easier to swap wheels and tires on a Sahara, than to add leather seats, LEDs, proximity locks, and color-matched roof and fenders to a Willys

Sorry to derail, but tell me about this Sahara emblem, did you add this? I’m looking for this old school Sahara badge for my soon to be delivered JLU. Thanks, and please carry on!

 

[Mccorm67]

Sorry to derail, but tell me about this Sahara emblem, did you add this? I’m looking for this old school Sahara badge for my soon to be delivered JLU. Thanks, and please carry on!

Meant to add this picture for context re Sahara badge

 

[JABCAT]

Thanks for your response. My is on the six cylinder. I have a four cylinder currently and its peppy and gas mileage is great, but that is not the reason for choosing a Jeep (definitely not for gas mileage). Hard top is my preference for road noise purposes. Tow package is optional, I am not sure I tow enough to warrant one, but it comes in handy when you have one. Living in the Midwest, it snows many of the months vs. rain. In other words, would you say that a set of springs would smooth out the ride in either vehicle?

If you prefer the smoothest ride, and don’t plan to take the vehicle off-road much, then I would say the Sahara is probably the right choice. The benefit of adding the tow pkg when you build it is that it also comes with the heavy duty electrical components (alternator and such), so even if you don’t plan to do much towing, the vehicle is set up correctly for it. Personally, our tow hitch is used almost exclusively for our bike carrier or cargo carrier.

 

[LarryB]

You can always start with a Sport or Willys and change components to make it your own. As an example, I kept my Sport at stock height, but upgraded shocks, steering stabilizer and tires. It made it a bit ”sportier” (not beating any Corvettes on a track, but better), a bit more comfortable on highways runs and better in the snow. However, others will opt for a more aggressive off-road biased setup.

Pick what matters to you and slowly make it your own … part of the fun of a Wrangler.

 

[aldo98229]

Meant to add this picture for context re Sahara badge

Yes, it got them on eBay. They are well made: https://www.ebay.com/itm/144379811983?hash=item219db5188f:g:w5wAAOSwokxdJvmt

 

[SilverT]

I owned a Willys Jku and now a Sahara. I guess I can offer you a good comparison. All wranglers have the same characteristics but the Willys and Sahara are at the opposite ends. The biggest differences between the 2 ride wise are shocks and tires. The Sahara has All Terrain tires that favor on road more than off-road. So they are quieter and offer a smoother ride at speed. They are also better in the rain and snow on road. The Willys has mud terrains, which pretty much has you covered stock should you venture off-road. On road they are louder and will follow road imperfections more. The willys shocks are also tuned for off-road. You will notice they are more forgiving at low speed on potholes, ruts etc. but will allow for more body sway at speed. They will also be slower to react at speed. The Sahara’s shocks will feel tighter and give a more compliant ride at speed. So basically the Sahara (atleast for a wrangler) will feel more carlike and the willys like a truck.

Very great comparison. Thank you for the feedback. This is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[SilverT]

If you prefer the smoothest ride, and don’t plan to take the vehicle off-road much, then I would say the Sahara is probably the right choice. The benefit of adding the tow pkg when you build it is that it also comes with the heavy duty electrical components (alternator and such), so even if you don’t plan to do much towing, the vehicle is set up correctly for it. Personally, our tow hitch is used almost exclusively for our bike carrier or cargo carrier.

I do not live in the city and am currently, off-road. This has been a great forum to ask these types of questions. Agree with you on the tow package, I do on occasion trailer my CanAm for regular maintenance. Thanks for your response.

 

[sconrad24]

Very great comparison. Thank you for the feedback. This is exactly what I am looking for.

No problem, you can’t do wrong with either.

 

[SilverT]

I do not live in the city and am currently, off-road. This has been a great forum to ask these types of questions. Agree with you on the tow package, I do on occasion trailer my CanAm for regular maintenance. Thanks for your response.

Who can answer this

This sticker is for a 2022 Wrangler Unlimited Willys, but under the base price it says it’s a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport.

My question is this
1) is the Willy’s based off the Sport?
2) how would I be able to tell if this is the Willy’s Sport model Or upgraded Willy’?
3) it’s says it’s the Willy’s Unlimited, but it also says sport?

Reason I ask is because from another post I read someone thought they had the unlimited, but it was the sport model. when they thought they had the upgraded version.

What Should I be looking for if I don’t want the SPORT version?

 

[Bejer]

I see a heated steering wheel and 8.4 radio on that sticker, neither of those are available on a Willys sport so it is a regular Willys. The sticker says sport because Willys is technically based on a Sport S.
LED headlights are another giveaway. Halogen-Willy’s sport, Led-Willys

 

[SilverT]

I see a heated steering wheel and 8.4 radio on that sticker, neither of those are available on a Willys sport so it is a regular Willys. The sticker says sport because Willys is technically based on a Sport S.
LED headlights are another giveaway. Halogen-Willy’s sport, Led-Willys

perfect, thanks for clarifying that it’s based on the Sport S. I would hate to pick the wrong model.

 

[SilverT]

PS: IMO, it’s much easier to swap wheels and tires on a Sahara, than to add leather seats, LEDs, proximity locks, and color-matched roof and fenders to a Willys



This came home this weekend, It doesn’t have leather seats, but they are heated. A must have in these winter months.

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